The Breakdown Snooze Button

We live in the age of distraction. 

Never before has it been so easy to distract ourselves. To sedate ourselves. To snooze the feelings and thinking that we just don’t know how to deal with.

So we hit that snooze button in the various ways we can: social media, netflix, alcohol, and mary jane. 

The alarm goes off, and we hit the snooze button. But the snooze is temporary. The alarm will just pop back on in a little while. 

Resisting our emotions. Judging ourselves and the people in our lives. Dulling our thinking and feeling. 

We’re trying to sedate and control our discomfort because we never learned a healthier way. 

I was having a conversation with a client today, and a powerful shift in her life has been her growing ability and willingness to take a pause and slow down.

She described the impact of that powerfully: it gives her room to make a choice about how she’d like to respond.

Hitting the snooze button on our discomfort and judgment isn’t a choice - it’s a reaction. 

Our reactions are based on fear and insecurity.

On the other hand, our responses are based on discernment and intentionality.

The alternative to reacting or hitting the snooze button? Slow down. Breathe. Feel it out. Notice what’s happening inside. Get in touch with your values, desires, and intentions. 

Most days, I have an hourly timer set on my watch to remind me to take a moment and ground myself in intentional thinking and being. For much of the last month, my hourly question was this: What do I want really want, right now?

I don’t want to hit the snooze button. I want to integrate, heal, and grow.

I don’t want to react. I want to pause, respect, and interact from understanding and compassion. 

I don’t want to rush. I want to enjoy each moment in any one of the infinite ways available. 

I don’t want to fear. I want peace. 

I don’t want to guard. I want to give. 

I don’t want to judge. I want to love.

When I hit the snooze button of distraction, I’m not leaning towards what I really want. I’m leaning away from what I don’t want.

A life lived leaning away from what I don’t want isn’t a life I want to live. I want to lean towards what I really want.

I’m committed to leaning in. That means I’ve gotta get my butt out of bed and engage directly with my life.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth

across the doorsill

where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.

Don't go back to sleep.

Don't Go Back to Sleep, by Rumi

Much Love. ❤️